Ben Simmons still hasn’t played a second for the Brooklyn Nets, but he was back in Philadelphia and on the bench for the first time since his trade from the 76ers. The Sixers fans booed the All-Star, but also cheered at one point.
Simmons was still not on the field during the Nets’ clear victory in Philadelphia, but did a light workout in the hall before tip-off. The Australian, who played for the Sixers between 2016 and 2021, was passionately booed by the fans who were already there.
The guard last appeared in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals against the Atlanta Hawks, after which the former No. 1 pick refused to play again for the Sixers before eventually being traded with James, among others, in February Harden was traded to the Brooklyn Nets.
The 25-year-old hasn’t played a game yet and is expected to be slowly reintroduced to the team after mental problems. It is still unclear when Simmons will intervene. It was enough for a workout, and Simmons dunked once to loud cheers from the Philly fans. The jubilation was ironic, as the denied dunk against the Hawks in Game 7 will probably be remembered by Sixers fans forever.
During the game, too, Philly fans started chanting abusive songs against the All-Star, but he didn’t show it. According to Stephanie Ready from TNT The Sixers have never received more ticket requests than they did for the game against the Nets in the past decade. Sixers coach Doc Rivers declined to comment on his ex-protégé before the game, saying he wouldn’t talk about players who aren’t playing anyway.
Simmons, on the other hand, received support from his new teammates. “We see Ben as our brother,” affirmed Kevin Durant. “We knew they were going to be hostile to him here, but it’s difficult to shout stuff like that when your team is losing that high.” Kyrie Irving, who saw the hostilities against Simmons as a motivation for his own team, took a similar line. “Ben was important to us today. Anyone who says something against him also says something against us.”
As expected, there was no tribute video. Simmons played 275 games for the Sixers, averaging 15.9 points, 8.1 rebounds and 7.7 assists. Simmons was a three-time All-Star, once an All-NBA Third Team nominee, and two All-Defensive First Team nominees.
